Beekeeping Super Timing Calculator
Created by: Emma Collins
Last updated:
Determine the optimal timing for adding or removing honey supers based on your colony's strength, nectar flow conditions, and seasonal factors. Get recommendations to maximize honey production and prevent swarming.
What is a Beekeeping Super Timing Calculator?
A super timing calculator helps beekeepers determine when to add and remove honey supers for optimal honey production. Proper timing prevents swarming, maximizes honey harvest, and keeps colonies healthy throughout the nectar flow season.
Adding supers too late causes congestion and triggers swarming instinct. Adding them too early wastes the bees' energy heating extra space. This calculator helps you find the perfect timing based on your colony strength, local nectar flows, and equipment choices.
Super Management Basics
Adding Supers: Add when current box is 70-80% full, preferably before the main nectar flow
Super Types: Deep (60-80 lbs), Medium (40-50 lbs), Shallow (30-40 lbs) when full of honey
Queen Excluders: Optional - prevents brood in honey but may slow initial use
Removal Timing: When 80%+ capped, before fall treatments, moisture below 18.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I add honey supers to my hive?
Add supers when bees have filled 7-8 frames of the current box with comb and brood/stores. During nectar flows, add supers before the hive becomes 80% full to prevent swarming. In most regions, this is early spring before the main nectar flow begins.
How do I know if my bees need more super space?
Check if bees are backfilling the brood nest with nectar, building comb in the inner cover, or bearding heavily at the entrance. White wax on frame tops and crowded conditions indicate they need more room immediately.
Should I use a queen excluder under honey supers?
Queen excluders prevent brood in honey supers but can slow bees from moving up. Many beekeepers add the first super without an excluder, then add one once bees are working it. Remove excluders in fall so the queen can move up with the cluster.
When should I remove honey supers for harvest?
Remove supers when frames are 80-90% capped. Uncapped honey has too much moisture and will ferment. Use a refractometer to verify moisture content below 18.6%. Remove all supers before fall mite treatments.
How many supers should I have per hive?
Start with 2-3 supers per hive for the season. Strong colonies during good nectar flows may fill 4-6 supers. It's better to have extra supers ready than to miss honey because bees ran out of space.
What's the difference between deep, medium, and shallow supers?
Deeps (9-5/8") hold ~60-80 lbs of honey but are heavy to lift. Mediums (6-5/8") hold ~40-50 lbs and are popular for honey. Shallows (5-3/4") hold ~30-40 lbs and are easiest to handle. Many beekeepers use all mediums for simplicity.
Sources and References
- Seeley, T.D., "The Lives of Bees", Princeton University Press
- University of Georgia Bee Lab, "Honey Super Management Guidelines"
- Bee Culture Magazine, "Timing Your Supers Right", 2024